Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers Bids Farewell to Congress
Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered a farewell address on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, concluding her tenure in Congress. First elected in 2004, Chair Rodgers has served as the representative for Washington’s 5th Congressional District for the past 20 years. Before becoming Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, she previously served Committee Ranking Member from 2020 to 2022 and as Chair of the House Republican Conference from 2012 to 2018. She was the first woman to serve as Chair of the Committee, the 200th woman ever elected to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the first woman to give birth three times while in office. At noon on January 3, 2025, Chair Rodgers will officially retire from the People’s House and return home to her husband, Brian Rodgers, a Spokane-native and retired 26-year Navy Commander, and their three children—Cole, Grace, and Brynn. Mr. Speaker, as I rise here tonight, yes, my heart is overflowing with gratitude. To all my colleagues, I thank you. I thank you for your friendship and your support. What an amazing institution the United States House of Representatives is. Part of my mission has been to restore trust and confidence in this institution because I believe it is so important in our Nation. To my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee and beyond, it really is great to be with you tonight. What an amazing journey for me, a farm kid, growing up and working alongside my brother and parents at our orchard and fruit stand in Kettle Falls, Washington, to walking the Halls of Congress, being elected the 200th woman ever to serve in this institution, and ultimately as the chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. I have truly lived the American Dream. To the people of eastern Washington, thank you. Thank you for putting your trust in me to be your voice in Congress for the past 20 years. Each person that I have met along the way influenced and inspired me in ways that I couldn't imagine. Serving you has been the honor of my life. I also want to thank my family. I couldn't have done it without my amazing, loving, and supportive husband, Brian, who has been by my side the last 18 years, at least. He said carrying the load at home was harder than anything he ever did in the Navy in his 26 years there. Thank you, Brian. You are the love of my life and the man of my dreams. To our beloved, beautiful children, Cole McMorris Rodgers, now 17; Grace Blossom Rodgers, 14; and Brynn Catherine Rodgers, 11: You are the greatest blessings of my life. We are so proud, and I can't wait to be home with you. I thank my mom, Corene McMorris, for being my fierce defender against all who dare accuse me of anything wrong; my stepdad, Vern White, for his embracing of this journey. I thank my brother, Jeff McMorris, who managed my first campaign for Congress in 2004. It was there that he renewed his acquaintance with and fell in love with my sister-in-law, Sarah, an amazing woman who also dedicated much of her time and energy to helping me win. I thank my nieces and nephew, Kate, Reagan, Conner, and Halle, who I adore for joining me on the campaign trail. I thank my dad, Wayne McMorris, who impressed everyone as my sign chairman back in 2004, blanketing the Fifth Congressional District with red, white, and blue “Cathy for Congress” signs. Brian's family also joined in the fun, as well as so many, many friends and supporters. What an honor and privilege it has been for me to represent all of you. To my team, words cannot express my gratitude for the hundreds of brilliant men and women who have served alongside me here in my congressional office and on the Energy and Commerce Committee and back home in my district and campaign offices. While it was always my name on the door, it was your dedication that helped me succeed and deliver results. Together, we have fun while we SERVE—Seek excellence, Everybody matters, Responsibly own it, Vigilant integrity, and Embrace change. It made all the difference. Although I would like to give each one of you a shout-out by name, I thank the leadership, various chiefs of staff, and district directors beginning with Connie Partoyan, Jeremy Deutsch, David Condon, David Peluso, Jared Powell, Kyle VonEnde, Karli Plucker, Ian Field, Dick Leland, Chud Wendle, Traci Couture, Patrick Bell, Kristina Sabestinas, Dawn Sugasa, Nate Hodson, and Sarah Burke, who helped me navigate the mighty waters, the many highs and lows, and the disappointments and crowning achievements of my time in Congress. Most of all, I am grateful to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who lovingly drew me closer to Him over the past 20 years. He has spoken to me about His mercies that are new each morning, and He has poured out His grace on me and my family. As I leave Congress, I urge all of us to look for ways to cultivate more grace, love, and forgiveness in this world and serve others. We hope for a time of healing. Alexis de Tocqueville said it so well. He said: “America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” I have served with so many good people and had the honor of representing the good people of eastern Washington. For that, I am grateful. I say thank you, may God bless you, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.
